I paired my SM7B with a Cloudlifter and run that into a DBX 286 preamp pre-processor and the combination for my podcast and voice over work is incredible. The Cloudlifter does an amazing job of providing the preamp that this microphone needs before hitting the pre-processor input on the DBX 286. I supply phantom power to the Cloudlifter from the DBX 286 and it all works beautifully. I have a very bass voice and with the SM7B, the sound of my voice comes out deep and with a lot of presence. I've had this microphone since 2009 and it is a classic for a reason... Don't be afraid to get up close and into this mic - It is built for it. It just works. And yes, I'm adding audio foam to the walls - This is a brand new studio still getting outfitted for a new location ;>)

The microphone's "natural" sound is a thud to my ears. You need to buy additional equipment and dbx processors to make it sound great. I prefer to start with a microphone that is dynamic across the spectrum BEFORE any processing takes place, I returned this Shure, spent an extra $100.00, and got the EV RE 27....huge difference and much more prsesence.

This mic is absolutely amazing. I thought I had done something wrong when I first received it as it sounded extremely sub par compared to the glowing reviews from Major recording studios that it has garnered. Then a much more knowledgeable audio technician explained to me that it is a very power hungry mic and needs a capable preamp to really shine. So I grabbed a Grace Design m101 and wow... Just wow! If you don't have the cash for that there is also the Cloudlifter CL-1 but I can speak to that options quality as I didn't directly compare the two.

This is now easily one of my favorite recording combo's!

This microphone is amazing. Definitely a bump up from the SM57 and 55SH I've been using to record vocals in my home studio. Simply put, I can't afford even an entry level Neumann (rather spend my money on guitars) but this mic delivers as promised at the > $500 level. Crisp and clear sound. I have a UAD Apollo so I didn't really need the Cloudlifter CL-1 but when plugged into my Mackie 1220i board, the CL-1 would obviously be necessary because the gain is low.

This is the best Microphone for Amateur Radio, period.
Take off the XLR stuff, or adapt it to your rig - it's a dynamic mic, so it works fine with an Elecraft K3 or Icom 7300.
I am not using phantom power.

The real beauty is the "presence" and "cardioid pattern". My monitor speakers are less than 3' away, directly behind it - I've never had a feedback or echo problem. The pickup range is wonderful, you can practically EAT it, or back off a foot, and still be heard nicely. But, when you move in close, it's almost like whispering into the hearers ear. No popping, not tinny, not booming, just distortion free, full bodied audio, as natural as you normally speak.

Yeah, it's pricey... but, if you want to be heard and understood without an equalizer - this mic has the most natural sound of them all.
A mic-is-a-mic, until you use one of these Shure SM7B...

5 stars for absolute top-notch quality, it is worth the price, plus, it's a Dynamic Mic.